Can a spren become a radiant?

[Stormtide_Leviathan]

Is there any reason a spren can't form the normally-human/singer half of the bond? We've seen a herald bond a spren, and as a cognitive shadow there's a lot of similarity between Nale and a Spren. The sticking point there might be that they have more Connection to the physical realm than a spren does, and that's critical for the bond. So in most cases, probably not, no a spren can't bond with another spren.

But what about cases like Notum? He has more presence in the physical realm than most spren, and was able to bond a shardblade and plate. So is there any reason he couldn't form a full radiant bond? (Presumably, if a spren were to do this, they would bond with another of their same kind. It's hard to imagine an honorspren being a better fit for any order other than windrunners)

[Treamayne]

15 minutes ago, Stormtide_Leviathan said:

Is there any reason a spren can't form the normally-human/singer half of the bond? We've seen a herald bond a spren, and as a cognitive shadow there's a lot of similarity between Nale and a Spren. The sticking point there might be that they have more Connection to the physical realm than a spren does, and that's critical for the bond. So in most cases, probably not, no a spren can't bond with another spren.

It's theorized that this is what is happening between Adolin and Maya. It is unlikely that it would make Maya Radiant (or accessing Surges, at least) but it does seem to be a form of nahel Bond very similar to what you describe. Explained in more detail here. 

WoB:

Spoiler

Kolby Bradshaw

Could a spren bond another spren?

Brandon Sanderson

Theoretically possible, probably not a direction I'm ever going to go in the books for inception/recursive sort of weirdness reasons, but theoretically possible.

YouTube Spoiler Stream 2 (June 3, 2021)

 

Edited January 16, 2025 by Treamayne
WoB

[MagicMaggot]

46 minutes ago, Stormtide_Leviathan said:

But what about cases like Notum? He has more presence in the physical realm than most spren, and was able to bond a shardblade and plate. So is there any reason he couldn't form a full radiant bond? (Presumably, if a spren were to do this, they would bond with another of their same kind. It's hard to imagine an honorspren being a better fit for any order other than windrunners)

I'm not entirely sure he can't use the Honorspren surges right now. Ishar's experiments seemed to assume that the spren would have control over their surges while maintaining their immortality, if he managed to get them into the physical realm. 

Quote

 

“Spren,” Nin said, “made physical so they could fight. Immortal, in possession of Surges, as is the natural state of many of your kind."

- WaT chapter 128 

 

I think Notum comes pretty close to what the crazy old man was going for. I guess as he is he would probably have some problems affecting physical stuff even with his surges, but all the other Honorspren have no problem flying in the physical realm, and while he might not be able to lash armor and sword, he doesn't really need to to fly, if they are working with him, does he? Give the guy some Stormlight and let us experiment.

Or is there a reason we know that that couldn't work?

[Nitpicking]

On 1/16/2025 at 3:58 PM, MagicMaggot said:

Give the guy some Stormlight and let us experiment.

Or is there a reason we know that that couldn't work?

There is currently no Stormlight? He could try with Warlight, I suppose.

[MagicMaggot]

1 hour ago, Nitpicking said:

There is currently no Stormlight?

Sure, and if there were, I'd personally have a hard time giving it to this fictional character. But I meant to say that we haven't seen the on-screen experimentation to say that he couldn't do it. 

[QuantumAce]

On 1/16/2025 at 2:02 PM, Stormtide_Leviathan said:

(Presumably, if a spren were to do this, they would bond with another of their same kind. It's hard to imagine an honorspren being a better fit for any order other than windrunners)

 

Some honorspren would be pretty embarrassed when they started attracting Highspren 

[teknopathetic he/him]

Seeing as Notum can be an unothed, it seems possible for a spren to possibly become radiant. It might require some very effortful and willful intent, but seems to be possible if Brandon decides he wants it to happen. 

Possibly deadeyes might be able to become radiant since deadeyes are a different type of entity now. 

Ishar's spren physical realm thing might be a part of it. If Notum was fully pulled into the physical in a way that didn't kill him, maybe then it would be a lot easier. It also may be that Deadeyes do better when force-pulled into the physical realm. 

Edited February 6, 2025 by teknopathetic

[Leuthie]

Can a horse ride another horse? It's possible, but why?